Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Driving Costa Rica is probably the BEST way to see Costa Rica in our opinion. Probably the best reason to rent a car is because everything can be done on your own schedule in your own time. BUT, if you're going to rent a car, their are some things you really need to know. These 3 videos pretty much cover all the information you'll need in order to 'drive Costa Rica'. The first video is one of the first videos we ever made and it scared many people out of renting a car. WHOOPS! That was not our intent as we were merely trying to show the possibilities. The second was a response to the first because we got so much grief about the first one. The third video, we just made and it's only about 'road signs' you need to know. So, if you're planning on renting a car (we also have videos on who, how and the problems with renting a car in Costa Rica, so don't miss those), you're going to want to CHECK OUT these videos. ENjoY!

Sunday, November 30, 2014

TRUTH is, LOTS of things to do in La Fortuna Costa Rica. Here's a few things- Canyoneering, Ziplining, Hanging Bridges, Volcano hike, horseback riding, ATV's, night hikes, rafting etc, and those things don't even account for the activities available on Lake Arenal. Well, there's a NEW player in town and it's Flyboarding, which I'm attempting to do in this pic. Have you heard of it? Well, anyway, CHECK out the video to get the gist of flyboards and if you're ever in the La Fortuna area and want to try something different, give us a shoutOUT and we'll hook you up. *And yes, just about anyone can do it.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Fact is, the police in Costa Rica aren't going to do shit to help you if their has been a crime perpetrated against you. I'm talking mostly about the sort of crime that you have the best odds of being the victim of- robbery, theft, breaking and entering, simple assault etc. Yes, they can be friendly and nice, yes they will fill out all the appropriate paperwork, but unfortunately, that's where it STOPS. There's many reasons for their lack of any concrete follow-thru but that's for another video and another post. So, whether you want to travel to Costa Rica or live in Costa Rica, it's all about taking personal responsibility. Here's our perspective on the effectiveness of the police in Costa Rica.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Robber and Thief, Juan Carlos Salazar Mena, has been a busy Criminal. From Pital, Costa Rica, Juan Carlos Salazar Mena robbed us about 10 days ago and after we posted the video of him breaking into our apartment, people have come out of the woodwork to email us and let us know they too were victims of Juan Carlos Salazar Mena's handiwork. We even got sent a video (poor quality but definitely Juan Carlos Mena) of him breaking into a business. He was caught, but Costa Rica being Costa Rica, nothing was done, so the owner was hoping to join forces with us and help put a stop to Juan Carlos Mena.

This picture is of Juan Carlos Mena Salazar and if you live in either Pital, Aguas Zarcas or La Fortuna, you might want to watch your back and your stuff, when he is around. He is very unassuming, skinny as fuck, kinda cute in a punk-kid kinda way but don't be FOOLED, he will seek out an opportunity. Check out the video below to see Juan Carlos Salazar Mena up to his old tricks.

If you have any information on Juan Carlos Salazar Mena, please email us. We'd appreciate it.

Friday, November 7, 2014

This is what a thief looks like and Juan Carlos Salazar Mena is a THIEF. Juan Carlos Salazar Mena is originally from Pital Costa Rica but spends time in Aguas Zarcas and La Fortuna.

After videotaping Juan Carlos Salazar Mena breaking into our apartment in La Fortuna, the emails started pouring in. Apparently, Juan Carlos Salazar Mena has robbed many other folks and businesses. Juan Carlos Mena doesn't just focus on Gringos, a Tico man reached out to us in hopes of helping us put Juan Carlos Mena behind bars because he had broken into his business as well, also videotaped and CAUGHT. But Costa Rica being Costa Rica, absolutely NOTHING was done.(We will be posting that video on our YouTube Channel as well, so L@@L for it).

The first video below is actually the second video we did in regards to Juan Carlos Salazar Mena and is an update 4 days after the initial break-in with the bottom video being the break-in caught on tape.

Juan Carlos Salazar Mena is a skinny little punk, unassuming but extremely sneaky and conniving, so if he's around your area, you're going to either want to beat the fuck out of him or at least keep a watchful eye on his every move. And if you do happen to cross paths with Juan Carlos Salazar Mena, please contact us, we'd love to chat with him **just to ask him why he chose a life of crime, nothing more**Swear, nothing bad.

We're not going to let this go until justice comes to Juan Carlos Salazar Mena, he's hurt WAY too many people- hard working people trying to make their way in life. Motherfucker needs a life lesson.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Juan Carlos Salazar Mena from Pital Costa Rica is a THIEF. Juan Carlos Salazar Mena lives in La Fortuna Costa Rica at the moment but also spends time in Pital, Aguas Zarcas and Manuel Antonio. Juan Carlos Salazar Mena is not just a one-time thief, he's more of the 'career' variety. And like all thieves, Juan Carlos Salazar Mena is a shifty, sneaky, sketchy, scumbag.

Juan Carlos Salazar Mena lived next door to us with his girlfriend. Juan Carlos Salazar Mena from Pital broke into our apartment months back and stole a laptop. We knew it was him but couldn't prove anything. We knew he'd be back as that's what scumbag thieves like Juan Carlos Salazar Mena do. We were ready. And the below video is the result. If there's any doubt in your mind just watch the video until the tattoo of the 'star' above his left breast shows up.

The police in La Fortuna are very familiar with Juan Carlos Salazar Mena. He gets busted a LOT. Unfortunately, nothing happens except maybe a night at the police station. Totally worth something like a laptop. The police saw the video, knew right away who it was. The OIJ (the FBI of Costa Rica)also saw the video. They did NOTHING. Juan Carlos Salazar Mena spent 24 hours at the police station while the police and the OIJ twiddled their thumbs. *We are not surprised by the lack of follow-up by the police and OIJ by any means. They're in name only, real police work is foreign to Costa Rica and is well documented. We will be documenting the same.

This isn't over. We will be documenting what happens AND we will get a lawyer. And no, we are not disillusioned by Costa Rica. We still love it here, so don't go there. The video of the break in is below. Check it out. Share it, pass it on. God forbid some unexpected business hires Juan Carlos Salazar Mena.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

San Jose Costa Rica is a city of barbed wire, much of it, of the razor variety. Iron bars on windows and doors are pretty much the fashion sense for every house and business in the area as well. A practical people, looks don't count for much here, as long as it functions properly, aesthetics be damned. Bottom line- razor wire and iron bars provide security. Seems obvious right? Protecting ones personal property and such. Obviously it's not.

This video was made after receiving the 215th email on the subject of how much barbed wire is used and seen in Costa Rica and how as a tourist, many were APPALLED.

This video has nothing to do with Costa Rica per se and shouldn't be viewed as a knock on this beautiful country.

This video is somewhat of a sarcastic slap in the face, to the many times, ignorant and arrogant thinking of North American tourists. Hypocrisy at its finest. That's it. Nothing more, nothing less.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Lair Davis loved Costa Rica and Costa Rica loved Lair Davis. Unfortunately, Lair passed away some months ago. Lair was a friend of mine and I enjoyed talking about 'anything' Costa Rica with him because he had such an interesting and unique perspective. I knew I had to do some videos with him to get the 'Lair Davis' perspective out.

So here they are. *They have been uploaded to our YouTube Channel before so you may have seen them but wanted to get them all in one place.

The first two are interviews I did with him and if you're planning on relocating to Costa Rica you definitely don't want to miss them. The second two are parables about living here in Costa Rica. The last two were going to be used differently but time just wasn't on our side but they still work and are worth viewing.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Thinking about moving to Costa Rica? Relocating to Costa Rica? Retiring to Costa Rica? Well, before you do, you need to do your homework- BIG TIME! Part of that homework should be to visit here and get a little perspective from some folks who actually live here and don't have an agenda to sell you something. Because when someone has an agenda, it obviously skews the information, which makes it difficult to make an informed decision. That's where we come in.

We've been doing 'living here in Costa Rica' videos for quite awhile now along with our 'traveling to Costa Rica' videos and the former have become somewhat popular based on the comments and emails we've received in the last few years. So, we've decided to conduct our own tours, which we call, 'michael alan & D'Angelo's Truth Costa Rica Tour'. The good the bad and the ugly of living in Costa Rica with no agenda to sell you anything. Our goal is to offer our perspective, experience and expertise of living in Costa Rica so the folks who go on our tour, by the end, will know whether relocating to Costa Rica is a good idea for them or not. That's it. Check out our initial video launching our new idea- michael alan & D'Angelo's Truth Costa Rica Tour. ENjoY!

Monday, September 1, 2014

Finding a lawyer in Costa Rica is a daunting task to say the least, although I'm sure finding a good lawyer ANYWHERE, considering the reputations of lawyers in general, is just as daunting. But finding a good attorney in a foreign land has other issues to consider. Like for us, they need to speak perfect English. Anyway, check out our video to see what happened after nearly 7 years.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Happier Than a Billionaire in Costa Rica, a video featuring Nadine and Rob Pisani, is a total FLUFF piece- pure and simple. The much watched YouTube video, 'Happier Than a Billionaire in Costa Rica' is nothing more than a propaganda piece, a 28-minute infomercial geared to folks thinking about relocating to Costa Rica.

But before you get your panties in a twist, my rebuttal has nothing to do with Nadine and Rob personally. As a matter of fact they seem like great people and I know they had nothing to do with the editing, although they probably should have. Anyway, don't take my word for it, watch it for yourself. Can you spot all the fluff and sugar-coating.... I hope so. And after, watch my rebuttal to see why I have such a problem with it. ENjoY!

Monday, June 30, 2014

Costa Rica WHIPS some Greece ASS! Yeah, I got it bad- World Cup fever and there's no place better to have it than in Costa Rica. Watching Tico's watch the World Cup reminds me of why I love it here so much. They are so proud of their country and their team and watching them watch the game is truly inspiring. Words can't really describe what I'm trying to say but think of a time in your life when you were most 'proud', that's every Tico's face here as they watch and root on their team. One BIG, happy, loving family....unified with unconditional love for their country. The US could learn a thing or two.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Everybody sells real estate in Costa Rica. This makes it difficult to get truthful, honest answers to your real estate questions. Took us 4 years to find someone who knew the biz but didn't have an agenda when answering my questions. So the video was never made. At least until now. Guys, these are the basics, real estate 101 for the folks just beginning their research. Trust me, we will be talking to Wendy again and asking even more detailed, specific questions. But this is a great place to start. ENjoY!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Power Wheels in La Fortuna is the BEST ATV tour in the area, maybe in all Costa Rica (we'll have to get back to you on that one). We take the places we recommend very seriously since it's pretty much our reputation on the line so we take great care in regards to what we say about who. Fact is, we've been on the other ATV tours in the area and Power Wheels is the best, simple as that. The biggest reason Power Wheels is the best is probably because of the area they use do run their tours- it's simply BEAUTIFUL.

I could write or you could just CHECK OUT the video we did....and I'm sure you'll get the picture.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Costa Rica has GREAT whitewater rafting- the Pacuare, Toro, Sarapiqui and the Balsa to name a few. And the scenery is crazy beautiful. Lucky for us, La Fortuna is BASE for a lot of major whitewater rafting companies who run these rivers. One in particular we really like- Costa Rica Descents. Young company with major, BIG league, rafting experience. All their guides have at least 15 years experience, speak English and are just plain fun. We're not saying Descents is the BEST rafting company in Costa Rica, but they might be.

Anyway, the video below was shot on the Upper Balsa (Class V) which no company runs except for Descents and truthfully, the Upper Balsa rivals, and many say is better, than the more popular Pacuare, in rapids and beauty. We'll let the video do the talking. For more INFO- Costa Rica Descents. And the music in this video is perfect if I do say so myself. ENjoY!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Living in Costa Rica you had better learn to deal with the Tico culture if you plan on sticking around for any real length of time. Because if you don't, it could lead to serious frustration as well as take a major toll on your bank account. This is probably my BEST tip EVER- and you can take that to the bank. ENjoY!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

AM Costa Rica, 'Your English-Language New Source' on the internet has SUCKED for a long, L-O-N-G time. I remember when I first realized the fact when, Jay Brodell, the head honcho at AM Costa Rica was endorsing John McCain for President back in '08 and was using AM Costa Rica to do so. But it's not the John McCain thing or even the fact he used AM Costa Rica, it was the way he tore into Obama in order to bolster the image of McCain. Trust me, it was negative, negative, negative in typical 'right of Reagan'fashion. But really it's not even that, I mean, so what, he wanted McCain to win- no BIGGIE. AM Costa Rica SUCKS for a lot more reasons than that and here's our new video listing a few-